Story Updated May 21
A devastating fire at Charlotte Pass Snow Resort’s sewage treatment plant on Friday 17th May has the resort management assessing the damage and the impact it could have on their looming snow season.
The village is currently closed until further notice as they cannot process any wastewater from taps, showers or toilets.
The small village, 7km from Perisher and over 40km from Jindabyne could have its snow season threatened.
Footage released by Fire and Rescue NSW (below) showing the aftermath of the fire, and the significant damage sustained to the plant is currently being assessed by resort management. It was expected that a meeting with officers from the Department of Planning would occur on Tuesday 21 May. Wastewater experts were also summonsed to determine all options available and the next steps forward.
Accessed by oversnow vehicles only during winter, the village holds about 500 people at its peak which includes about 100 combined staff working for the resort and lodges.
Accommodation comprises of the Chalet Hotel, four commercial lodges and eight smaller ski club lodges.
On a busy day they may expect over 100 day trippers to take the journey from Perisher Valley, via the oversnow transport.
Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the fire early on Friday morning to find the plant ablaze.
Fire and Rescue NSW inspector Phillip Eberle said firefighters responded quickly and were able to prevent waste material from entering the national park.
"A truck arrived within 15 minutes and within half hour we had 15 firefighters on site,” said Mr Eberle.
"The fire was fuelled by diesel and different products. It took two hours for full containment, and there was very little to no exposure into the environment."
The emergency occurred around 6.30 this morning when flames took hold of a sewage treatment plant, housed in a two-level building.
Fire and Rescue NSW established a relay to pump water to the isolated location. No injuries were reported and there was no need for any evacuations.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious but an investigation into the cause is continuing.
Video footage below was released by Fire and Rescue NSW.
Charlotte Pass released the below statement on Friday evening,
Village is now closed.